INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. Our role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. Our high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.

This is where you will find the latest news and multimedia from INTERPOL. Read our news stories and speeches; see the Organization in action through videos and photo galleries; and download our fact sheets, brochures and annual reports.

Our global police communications channels and internationally recognized alert systems allow police around the world to share data instantly and securely. A 24-hour contact point and specialized teams provide targeted support to serious crime or disaster incidents.

Highlights 2000-2010

The decade 2000-2010 saw much innovation and change in INTERPOL's activities, services and approach. Below are just a few of the milestones in our recent history.

2000

An Automated Fingerprint Identification System allows member countries to view, submit and cross-check records in INTERPOL’s fingerprint database.

Red notices are made publicly available for the first time via INTERPOL’s website.

2001

Creation of our first database of child sexual abuse images in order to help identify and rescue victims.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, we create a Command and Co-ordination Centre (CCC) and become operational around the clock. The CCC will be officially inaugurated in 2003.

2002

Deployment of the first Incident Response Team, to Bali, Indonesia, following a bombing in which 202 people died.

A Fusion Task Force is established to assist member countries in terrorism-related investigations.

Creation of the first-ever global database of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents.

2003

Roll-out of I-24/7, a new secure global police communications system, begins, with Canada the first country to connect in January.

A project is launched to track down fugitives wanted in connection with the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Creation of the DNA database.

2004

The Orange Notice is created in order to warn about potential threats from disguised weapons, parcel bombs and other dangerous materials.

An Incident Response Team is deployed following the Asian Tsunami. For the following 12 months it provides co-ordination, logistics, communications and forensic support to authorities in countries hit by the disaster.

The Office of the Special Representative of INTERPOL at the United Nations opens in New York.

2005

The INTERPOL-United Nations Security Council Special Notice is introduced, designed to alert police to groups and individuals who are the targets of UN sanctions against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The first INTERPOL Global Conference on Preventing Bioterrorism takes place. More than 500 delegates attend from 155 countries, making it the largest-ever gathering in INTERPOL’s history.

2006

INTERPOL re-affirms its political neutrality on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its Constitution.

The importance of police training is recognized and we create a dedicated office.

2007

Operation Vico – the Organization’s first ever direct appeal to the public – leads to the arrest of a serial child abuser just 11 days later.

For the first time, all National Central Bureaus are connected to the same secure police communications system (I-24/7).

2008

INTERPOL publishes its Forensic Report on FARC Computers and hardware seized by Colombia, following an independent forensic analysis by an Incident Reponse Team at the request of Colombia.

A new programme called OASIS (Operational Assistance, Services and Infrastructure Support) is launched for Africa, with the aim of enabling police forces to address crime threats effectively on a global level.

An Incident Response Team is sent to Cebu, the Philippines, to assist local authorities with the task of identifying some 800 victims of a ferry disaster.

2009

Official inauguration of the Office of the Special Representative of INTERPOL at the European Union in Brussels.

2010

First-ever address by an INTERPOL Secretary General at the United Nations General Assembly.

INTERPOL's vision and mission

The vision: "Connecting police for a safer world"

The mission: "Preventing and fighting crime through enhanced cooperation and innovation on police and security matters"